Improving access to maternal and newborn health in urban slums - Overview and experiences

Abstract

There has been an increasing migration of populations from rural to urban areas. The pace of migration is such that it is resulting in changing proportions of urban to rural populations throughout the developing world. Slum populations rank among the poorest, most under-served and most vulnerable groups in terms of health. They are further compromised by the often unauthorized status of vulnerable localities and the poor environmental conditions within them, and the disjointed care patterns that result from moving back and forth between city and natal home. Any attempt to improve maternal and newborn health is fraught with issues of accessibility of healthcare, awareness of the populace, availability of the health services and acceptability as well as affordability of the same. Care seeking for sick neonates and mothers is dismal due to a multitude of reasons.